Samuel Copenace

Samuel Allan Copenace

Traditional Wake Ceremony at 4:00 PM on April 6th, 2018

Name song at sunrise on April 7th, 2018

Funeral ceremony at 11:00 AM on April 7th, 2018

Miigwech to all the relatives, friends, and family who gave love so unconditionally throughout Sam’s life. Whether you passed through his life quickly or were an enduring presence he was always grateful for a handshake, a smile, a quick visit, or a hug.

Sammy was born on May 3rd, 1953 in Kenora ON to Orpha Copenace and the late Sam Copenace Sr. His early years were spent in Windigo Island, Kenora, and Winnipeg area. He shared many great experiences and memories and is survived by his mom Orpha along with his brothers Reggie Copenace, Donald (Ida) Copenace, Charlie (Anita) Copenace, Terry (Anita) Skead, and his sisters Peggy (Ernie) Hunt, Jennifer Skead, brother-in-laws Leroy (Wendy) Wilson and Gord (Rhonda) Wilson, sister-in-laws Linda (Robert) Dunbar-Blanchard, Sherry Wilson, and Cindy (Harold) Piche, Debbie Fairbanks, and his sundance brothers and sisters.

Sam is survived by his wife, Cheryl Copenace, daughter Carissa Copenace, sons Jackson (Rebecca) Copenace, and Dylan (Rachel) Copenace. He will be greatly missed by his grandchildren Kayleen, Jayden, Daysin, Caleb, Kyra, Arianna, Austin, and Solara and his “little handsomes” noozhisag Kalan and Karson, his chosen children Mahengun (Natalie) Goodsky, Beemus (Tara) Goodsky, Rudger (Sheryn) Kavanaugh, Christy (Manno) Copenace, Tallie (Daniel) DeVault, Jeff (Chantell) St. Paul, and Deanna Ledoux, the numerous others he welcomed throughout his life that he called family, his many nieces and nephews, and his powwow brothers and sisters.

Sam will be greeted in spirit by his late sisters Elizabeth Copenace and Caroline Copenace, his brother Douglas Fairbanks, noozhis Jackson Linklater-Copenace, his dad Sam Copenace Sr., his grandparents, uncles and aunties, and many chosen family members who journeyed before him.

Sam was known for his sense of humor, kindness, and humility. One of his greatest joys was time spent with his noozhisag, playing and laughing – he had a gift to make each and everyone of them feel special, even earning the nickname of Magic Papa. He was always carrying a smile for everyone he met, and would tease and laugh with anyone. Sam was a well-known traditional dancer who carried his teachings in the circle. He enjoyed every moment spent at the drum, dancing, visiting around the fire, and travelling throughout Canada and the U.S. meeting new friends on the powwow trail. He was a second-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and often joked about taking people down, jokingly asking for time to warm-up first. Sam found strength in the star lodge and looked forward to every moment spent with his sundance brothers and sisters – often making sure we took the time to laugh and relax together during ceremonies.

Sam met the love of his life Cheryl on the powwow trail. They shared at life full of family, love, and happiness after moving to Rainy River First Nation in 1998 where they married in 2001. Throughout their relationship their love for each other and their large family carried them through all that life had to offer.

He will be greatly missed and the love and memories that he leaves us with will provide strength to continue our lives here until we are eventually all able to meet his beautiful presence in spirit.

Giga-waabamigoo. Gizhawenamigoo Zaagaate-inini.

"There is no death – only a change in worlds." -Chief Seattle